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Photo: United States Congress (Getty Images)
The Metropolitan District of Columbia, home to the US capital, Washington, could become the 51st state. A group of Democrats from the US House of Representatives and the Senate have introduced the corresponding bill.
Reported by The Hill.
The bill, which was first introduced in 2013, will give county citizens full control over local affairs as well as full representation in the United States Congress.
Democrats believe that after the recent general election in the United States, the chances of granting the district state status “have never been as good as now.”
The bill was first approved by the House of Representatives in 2020, with a record 202 co-sponsors.
The bill could pass in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, but its chances of passing in the Senate are slim.
The District of Columbia includes the US capital Washington, the city of Georgetown, and Washington County.
Note that the United States is divided into 50 states (and those in counties or their equivalents) and the District of Columbia. There are also a number of island territories under the control of the United States: Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and others.
Recall that in 2016, the residents of the District of Columbia supported by majority vote in a referendum the change of administrative status to state.
Additionally, Puerto Rico claims state status. In 2012 and 2017, referendums were held there to join the United States. Neighbors supported the initiative by majority vote.
